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October 23, 2015
Maori dad promotes leadership through sport
Waatea Team
Posted On October 23, 2015
Kaitaia-born businessman Peter Cooper has donated US $50 million or about $74 million New Zealand dollars to create a new sports programme at the top American university where his five children studied.
Mr Cooper, from Te Rarawa, Te Aupouri and Ngati Kuri, has made a fortune in private equity and property development, including the Britomart refurbishment in downtown Auckland.
The money will allow Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. to fund a sports field and create a leadership program for the university's student-athletes.
It’s the second largest gift in the Catholic university’s history.
Mr Cooper says the athletics program at Georgetown played a significant role in his family’s life, with daughter Kylie co-captaining the women’s swimming team and three sons playing football.
He says the Cooper Athletics Leadership Programme is built on the philosophy that participation in college athletics provides a prime opportunity for personal development and experiential learning in leadership.
Copyright © 2015, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com
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